Eldred Mansford Swingen

MAPLE BLUFF-Eldred Mansford Swingen, age 95, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare surrounded by his family. He was born on June 6, 1917, in Cooperstown, N.D., the only child of Henry H. and Anna Beata (Stai) Swingen. He was raised in Village of Hannaford, North Dakota and attended public schools. Eldred graduated from University of North Dakota in 1939, with a B.S. in Commerce. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma, Beta Sigma Phi, Blue Key, and Delta Sigma Pi. Eldred attended Harvard Law School, was a member of the Hugo Black Law Club, and was drafted to the U.S. Army before Pearl Harbor. He was commissioned at the Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and assigned to the 905th Field Artillery Battalion, 80th Infantry Division, serving as S-2 Captain. Eldred was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and 4 battle stars. After service in World War II, he graduated with an LLB from University of Wisconsin Law School in September 1946. In the same month, he was married to his patient sweetheart, Virginia Eighmy Smith at Bethel Lutheran Church. Together, they raised a daughter, Regina Anne. His first employment was as district claim agent for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway with offices in Chicago, Mankato, Omaha, and Madison. He was a founder and sole survivor of the firm of Swingen, Stern, and Lenahan with offices in Madison and Oshkosh. Eldred was a partner of the firm of Johnson, Swingen, and Atterbury. He retired from law practice on Dec. 31, 2009, as a sole practitioner. Eldred was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Maple Bluff Country Club, the Madison Club, Ygdrasil Literary Club, and Torske Klubben of Madison. His passions included family, model trains, golfing and world travels. Eldred was also an avid Packers fan.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Swingen; and daughter, Regina Anne Swingen Lee of Cookeville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law, Mrs. Karl W. Smith; and brother-in-law, Robert Smith. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, with the Rev. Curt Everson presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery with military rites being conducted. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church Media Ministry or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Memorials:In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church Media Ministry or Agrace HospiceCare.

Visitation:Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012.

Service:Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, with the Rev. Curt Everson presiding.